On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor Side Forty-Seven – Izumi Kana

Side Forty-Seven – Izumi Kana

Kana opened her lunchbox and held in a sigh. I don’t really want to be at school today. I’ve too much to think about. Not only was everyone still bugging her about the fires and yakuza attacks at the shrine, even though a few days had passed, they were still making fun of her over big bro too.

I an, co on, I said there was nothing going on. He’s already got two girlfriends… her lunch was a bit fancier than it used to be, and as she picked away at her al, she considered that at least big bro was generous with his money. I don’t think he liked seeing how poor we were. It’s embarrassing, but I’d rather have money than pride.

“So, you seem lost in thought, Kana-chan.” Asami-san said, pulling over her desk to join her. Mio-chan did the sa on the other side, and soon they were eating together. Several other girls pulled their desks over too, which was a bit unusual, as most of the other girls avoided Kana, usually anyway.

Well I’ve got a lot on my mind, haven’t I? if only you knew… “Oh, it’s nothing. So, you were saying…?”

“I’ve noticed your lunch looks pretty nice. Don’t you worry you might…” Asami-san paused to grin. “… put on weight?”

Kana nearly choked on her tuna, surprised at the joke.

“Yeah, this big bro of yours wouldn’t like you if you don’t stay beautiful.” Mio-chan gently mocked her.

“I told you, there’s nothing going on there!” she pouted, stabbing the next piece of tuna angrily with her chopsticks.

“I guess we’ll see on Sunday right? I’m really looking forwards to visiting your shrine again. He’ll be there, right?” Asami-chan asked.

“Yeah, we just have to check him out.” Mio-chan agreed.

Seriously, I don’t see their fascination with this. I need to regain the initiative, it should be making the jokes. I’m the queen of this class. Although… It wasn’t enough just for her to be beautiful and charming. Lately it’s been nothing but blows to my pride. But I’m not going to stay depressed, no, I’m going to shine more brightly than ever. Girls like Mori-san, I’ll not let them put down…

“Well, it isn’t like Akio-kun…” she made sure to call him by that, rather than big bro, “… is at my beck and call, is he? Still, he’ll probably be around. Of course, I’m not sure he’s going to want to waste ti talking to you two though.” she teased, regaining the initiative. Though he probably will, he’s pretty friendly with girls. Too friendly, really.

“Sure he will.” Mio-chan pouted. “No man can resist cute schoolgirls like us, right?”

“Hey, can… can I co too?” another girl in class asked. On seeing everyone looking at her, the girl shrunk back in her seat, embarrassed. Err, what was her na again? I don’t think I’ve spoken to her much… she isn’t a girl who obviously dislikes like so, but I’ve not had much to do with her either.

“Really?” Asami-chan asked. “Don’t tell you’ve fallen for the guy, Noguchi-san? Looking at his girls I think you’re pretty outclassed.”

At that a ripple of laughter went around the classroom. The girl, Noguchi-san, flushed. “No, it isn’t like that… I just thought… well, you’ve seed more approachable lately Izumi-san, so I thought… maybe… we could be friends?”

That caught her by surprise. Friends, with ? I… don’t see why. She had always made clear the difference between her and girls that weren’t as pretty or as popular. It wasn’t like she was a bully or anything, In fact if anything she felt other girls were cold to her due to her family being poor… I certainly made it clear they were below , it was a way to defend myself, hold my position in class. To think a girl like this Noguchi-san thinks I’m approachable… maybe I have changed a little. Maybe Shaeula has influenced …

Shaeula was a thorny conundrum for her, though she rationalised it that competing with a non-human, affectively a kami, was clearly foolish. Kana didn’t think she would lose in terms of looks, but she had to admit she didn’t win, either. Not like she did against most other girls she’d t, or even a lot of the celebrities or idols on TV. And Shaeula, she was the sa outgoing, friendly person with pretty much whoever she t, seemingly satisfied with her own worth. If soone tried to lord it over her, no doubt she’d simply laugh it off and crush them with her confidence. I want that for myself, especially now.

“Hmm, well… there isn’t much to see and do at my shrine. I an, everyone here knows this school has a long history with the shrines and temples, right, even those of you who are ordinary students?”

Noguchi-san and other girls nodded. Even the few bitchy girls that she hated, who were listening in to the conversation from the sides, were aware of the special nature of the school curriculum.

“Well, right now my shrine is nothing special. Although you just wait until our new training hall is built!” Kana couldn’t resist boasting about it. “We’ll have a gym, sauna, swimming pool, gaming room… all sorts of cool stuff! You can co visit then, if you ask really nicely!” she laughed. Listen well. I’m no longer living in poverty. None of you will have anything like that at your hos!

“Yeah, that sounds cool. But… seriously, if this big bro of yours is putting out all this effort, I’m more convinced than ever he’s aiming for you, Kana-chan! We need to protect you from his lustful clutches!” Mio-chan giggled.

Yeah, this is all the sa as yesterday. I guess they still haven’t got it out of their system. Speaking of yesterday… Kana rembered the request Shaeula had asked of her. It was a good opportunity to try it. “Uh, does anyone have Kikuchi-san’s phone number? I’d like to invite her over on Sunday too.”

“Why, are you planning to bully her? You’ve never been close to Kikuchi, I know you don’t like her. Hasn’t she suffered enough?” one of the girls in class that rarely interacted with anyone spoke up. She was nothing special looks-wise, and wore dowdy glasses and had her bangs hanging down over her face like a curtain. Takagi-san, I think, right?